THE FER-DE-LANCE. 95 



The teeth of the venomous Serpents will be described in connection with one of the 

 species. 



The Serpents, in common with other reptiles, have their bodies covered by a delicate 

 epidermis, popularly called the skin, which lies over the scales, and is renewed at tolerably 

 regular intervals. Towards the time of changing its skin, the Snake becomes dull and 

 sluggish, the eyes look white and blind, owing to the thickening of the epidermis that covers 

 them, and the bright colors become dim and ill-defined. Presently, however, the skin splits 

 upon the back, mostly near the head, and the Snake contrives to wriggle itself out of the old 

 integument, usually turning it inside out in the process. This shed skin is transparent, 

 having the shape of each scale impressed upon it, being fine and delicate as goldbeater 5 s-skin, 

 and being applicable to many of the same uses, such as shielding a small wound from the 

 external air. In two very fine specimens of cast skins, formerly belonging to a viper and boa- 

 constrictor, now lying before me, the structure of each scale is so well shown, that the 

 characteristics of the two reptiles can be distinguished as readily as if the creatures were 

 present from whose bodies they were shed. Even the transparent scale that covers the eyes is 

 drawn off entire, and the large elongated hexagonal scales that are arranged along the 

 abdomen, and aid the animal in its progress, are exhibited so boldly that they will resist the 

 movement of a finger drawn over them from tail to head. 



THE first sub-order of Snakes consists of those Serpents which are classed under the name 

 of VIPERINA. All these reptiles are devoid of teeth in the upper jaw except two long, 

 poison-bearing fangs, set one at each side, and near the muzzle. The lower jaw is well 

 furnished with teeth, and both jaws are feeble. The scales of the abdomen are bold, broad, 

 and arranged like overlapping bands. The head is large in proportion to the neck, and very 

 wide behind, so that the head of these Snakes has been well compared to an ace of spades. 

 The hinder limbs are not seen. 



In the first family of the Viperine Snakes, called the CROTALID/E, the face is marked with 

 a large^ pit or depression on each side, between the eye and the nostril. The celebrated and 

 dreaded FER-DE-LANCE belongs to this family. 



This terrible reptile is a native of Brazil, and in some parts is very common, owing to its 

 exceeding fecundity and its habit of constant concealment. It has an especial liking for the 

 sugar plantations, and a field of canes is seldom cut without the discovery of seventy or 

 eighty of these venomous creatures. Martinique and St. Lucia are terribly haunted by this 

 Snake, which is held in great dread by the natives and settlers. In general, the Serpents, 

 even those of a poisonous character, avoid the presence of man, but the Fer-de-Lance 

 frequently takes the initiative, and leaping from its concealment, fastens upon the passenger 

 whose presence has disturbed its irritable temper, and inflicts a wound that is almost invari- 

 ably fatal within a few hours. 



Even in those cases where the sufferer recovers for the time, the system is terribly injured, 

 and the latent virulence of the poison can hardly be eliminated from the frame, even at the 

 cost of painful boils and ulcerations which last for many years. The nervous system is also 

 much affected, as giddiness and paralysis are among the usual consequences of the strong 

 venom which this reptile extracts, by some inexplicable chemistry, from perfectly harmless 

 food. Convulsions, severe pain at the heart, together with distressing nausea, are among the 

 many symptoms produced by this poison. 



To escape this creature in its chosen haunts is a matter of "very great difficulty, as it is 

 either concealed under dead leaves, among the heavy foliage of parasitic plants, or coiled up 

 in the nest of some" poor bird whose eggs or young it has devoured, and from this spot of 

 vantage makes its stroke, swift and straight as a fencer's thrust, and without the least warning 

 by hiss or rattle to indicate its purpose. 



All animals dread the Fer-de-Lancs ; the horse prances and snorts in terror on approach- 

 ing its hiding-place, Ms whole frame trembles with fear, and he cannot be induced by spur or 

 whip to pass within striking distance of this formidable reptile. Birds of all kinds have a 

 horror of its presence, and will puisue it from place to place, or hover near tne spot on which 



